Increased Weight... Increased Cancer Risk

Most are aware of the negative effects that excess bodyweight has on the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. However according to the WHO (World Health Organization), obesity and excessive weight are also responsible for half a million cancer cases annually. In North America, the number of diagnosed obesity-related cancers for 2012 was estimated at approximately 111,000. Cancers associated with increased bodyweight or BMI over 25 (body mass index) affect the esophagus, colon, rectum, kidney, pancreas, gallbladder, postmenopausal breast, ovary and endometrium. Fortunately the majority of us have control over our bodyweight with the decisions we make daily in regards to physical activity and dietary habits and choices. Committing to regular and ongoing physical activity coupled with a healthy diet is the answer. Get up, get out, move around, watch what you eat and when you eat, and get and stay healthy!

Boost Performance - Eat Your Breakfast

Skipping breakfast can lead to a reduced athletic performance later in the day according to U.K. researchers. In a group of 10 males, researchers compared performance later in the day when eating breakfast as well as when skipping breakfast. In this particular group of individuals, when breakfast was skipped, even though more calories tended to be consumed during lunch (an average of approximately 200 additional calories), their later day performance was still reduced. More studies will need to be performed but if you're an athlete with an athletic performance later it the day, making a decision to skip breakfast may reduce your overall performance, even if more calories are consumed later in the day.

Spinal Surgery is Not the Answer for Pain

People with chronic back pain sometimes consider lumbar fusion surgery to reduce their dependence on pain medications, particularly opioids. But a new study has found that more than three-quarters of spinal fusion patients continue taking opioids for pain post-surgery. Spinal fusion surgery corrects issues with the spinal vertebrae by fusing painful or damaged vertebrae into one solid bone — in a process similar to welding the bones together. Many patients choose this invasive procedure because they believe it will relieve their need to take opioids for pain. However, a study published in the journal PAIN, discovered that 14 percent of patients who underwent spinal fusion still used opioids for occasional pain and a significant 77 percent continued to use them long-term. Only 9 percent of spinal fusion patients were able to discontinue their use of opioids completely. Dr. Richard Deyo of Oregon Health and Science and his colleagues used Oregon’s program for monitoring prescription drugs to determine the opioid dosages used by patients before and after the surgery. Interestingly, of the patients who were prescribed opioids pre-surgery, only 34 percent of them were able to lower their dosage afterwards. Forty-five percent actually received a higher dose after undergoing spinal fusion. After studying the data, Dr. Devo concluded that the higher the dosage of opioids before surgery, the more likely the patient would continue to use them afterward. Before considering an invasive treatment like spinal fusion, see a chiropractor for effective, drug-free pain management options.